A map of ‘hot spots’ for bird of prey poisonings has been unveiled after it
was revealed the number illegally killed nearly doubled last year.

The document, launched by Roseanna Cunningham, the Scottish environment minister, showed the highest concentrations since 2005 were in central southern Scotland, the south east and parts of the eastern Highlands.

Carbofuran, an illegal chemical that Miss Cunningham warned was a threat to humans, was used to poison the majority of the 121 dead birds.

Golden eagles and buzzards were among the 27 birds killed by poison last year, a return to 2007 levels after a drop to 16 in 2008.

Unveiling the map, Miss Cunningham said: “These figures are a wake-up call to those who thought bird poisonings were on the wane.

“This continued persecution of our precious wildlife is simply incomprehensible. Poisoning is an arbitrary method of killing which poses serious risks to other animals, and potentially people, in our countryside.”

Among the birds found poisoned last year were 19 buzzards, four red kites, two golden eagles, one tawny owl and one sea eagle. Tayside Police recorded the highest number of incidents, with nine confirmed poisonings.

The map, produced by the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (Paw), does not show exact show exact locations of dead birds as they may have flown some distance after ingesting poison.

However, it provides a general overview of the worst affected areas, with the precise locations of incidents identified to within around two-thirds of a mile.

It shows that there were 93 incidents recorded between 2005 and 2009 involving 121 birds of prey.

This total includes 83 buzzards, 23 red kites, six golden eagles, five peregrine falcons, two tawny owls and two sea eagles. Baits were recovered 63 times and 78 poisonings involved Carbofuran.

The largest number of poisonings were recorded in the Northern Constabulary police force area (23), following by Lothian and Borders (20), Strathclyde (19) and Tayside (17).

Lord Hopetoun, Director of the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association said wildlife crime, including bird poisoning, should not be tolerated.

“This map-based report is an extremely useful barometer of the extent of the problem, based as it is on government-verified incidents rather than unofficial reports and suspected offences,” added.

“I am hugely disappointed that numbers have shown an increase but, as with many forms of wildlife crime, increasing awareness of the issues will lead to a greater number of reported incidents.”

Alex Hogg, chairman of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, said: “There is no place for raptor persecution in modern land management and the vast majority of wildlife managers abide by these views.

“Our organisation does not tolerate it any more than society at large and is committed to doing all it can to stamp it out. Today’s statistics are a massive setback.”

Duncan Orr-Ewing, head of species and land management for RSPB Scotland, said: “Experience tells us that this represents just a fraction of the true scale of this illegal activity, which persists with shocking regularity in some areas of Scotland.

“It is the selfish actions of a minority that damage the standing of the shooting industry.”